"Do you?"
"I know this is temporary. I know you're leaving. I know all the reasons this is a bad idea." She goes up on her toes. Brings her mouth close to mine. "But I'm tired of playing it safe. Tired of wanting things and being too scared to take them." Her lips brush mine. "So kiss me. And don't stop."
I break.
My mouth crashes onto hers. Hard and hungry. My hands slide into her hair and fist there. Angle her head so I can kiss her deeper.
She opens for me. Meets my hunger with her own. Her nails dig into my neck. Her body presses against mine from chest to thigh.
I walk her backward until her back hits the nearest bookshelf and pin her there.
My hand slides down her side. Grips her thigh and hitches it up around my hip. The new position lets me settle between her legs. Lets her feel exactly how much I want her.
She rocks against me. Makes a sound that's half moan, half whimper. I swallow it. Kiss her deeper.
My other hand finds the hem of her sweater. Slides underneath to palm the soft skin of her waist. She's warm and smooth, and when my thumb brushes the underside of her breast through her bra, she gasps into my mouth.
"Ryder." My name is ragged. Desperate.
I pull back enough to look at her. Her lips are swollen and red from my mouth. Her hair is a mess from my hands. Her sweater is rumpled up and her chest heaves with each breath.
"We should stop," I say, even though stopping is the last thing I want.
"Why?"
"Because if we don't stop now, I'm going to take you right here against these bookshelves."
Her eyes go dark. "Maybe that's what I want."
Fuck.
"Lucy—"
"Don't." She slides her hands under my shirt. Her palms are cool against my abs. "Don't overthink this. Don't decide what's best for me." Her hands move higher. "Just want me."
"I do want you." I catch her wrists. Hold them still. "But not here. Not like this. You deserve better than me losing control in your shop."
"What if I want you to lose control?"
"Trust me. You don't."
Her smile is slow. Dangerous. "Try me."
I kiss her again because I have to. Because she's here and she wants me and I'm not strong enough to walk away.
But I keep my hands on her waist. Keep the kiss just this side of control.
When I finally pull back, we're both breathing hard.
"Tomorrow," I say.
"Tomorrow what?"
"I'll pick you up after you close. We'll go somewhere private. And I'll show you what happens when I lose control."
Her breath catches. "Promise?"
"Promise."
